Based on research from leading academics and data analysis, the committee has examined the impact of migration on the economy and society – even down to individual well-being – and outlined their recommendations for migration post-Brexit.

It found that there was no evidence that increased European migration has damaged life in the UK.

For the last three years, politicians like Nigel Farage, and Iain Duncan Smith, think tanks like Migration Watch and some tabloids have abused an information vacuum to foster anti-immigration sentiment.

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Take housing, for example: we’ve been told EU immigration is pushing up house prices.

If you read the report in more detail, you find that it does so in some areas – but these rises are mainly driven by those authorities not releasing land. On the other hand, EU construction workers help to increase the supply of housing, thereby reducing pressure on house prices.

Ditto the NHS: are migrants really putting pressure on the NHS and schooling? The report shows that the NHS is relying on EU migrants, who provide more services than they use. There is no evidence of a negative impact on the quality of care, nor is there a sign that immigration is reducing UK-born children’s choice of schools.

(Photo: Guy Bell/REX/Shutterstock)

The report also shows very little evidence of EU citizens like myself reducing the employment opportunities of UK-born workers. Instead, the report recommends lifting the cap on the number of skilled migrants the UK allows in the country after Brexit.

Does bringing in EU workers reduce UK productivity or stop UK businesses from investing in UK-born workers? Again, the evidence shows positive impact of EU migrants on productivity and innovation.

So, what does this mean for the overheated immigration debate? Where do we go now?

It is crucial that we don’t allow politicians to shift the narrative to suit their agenda.

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They, more than any other group, are responsible for the very real concerns UK citizens and residents have about the decline in public services over the past 10 years. A decline that affects EU residents and British citizens alike.

Immigrants like me can no longer be scapegoats.

We all want the same things: a thriving NHS, care sector, industry, great education and the best opportunities for our children.

We would like more investment in those areas – but that is government responsibility and has little to do with immigration.

We need to change how we talk about immigration, based on facts, needs and positive values.

Politicians and certain areas of the media have been allowed to demonise immigrants to suit their political agenda – we now have the evidence to challenge them.